T. Clark Brelje, Ph.D.
University of Minnesota
Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Development
6-160 Jackson Hall
321 Church St SE
Minneapolis, MN 55455
Robert L. Sorenson, Ph.D.
University of Minnesota
Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Development
6-160 Jackson Hall
321 Church St SE
Minneapolis, MN 55455
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Click the thumbnail to show this specimen stained with hematoxylin & eosin.
Of the fibrous components in connective tissue, hematoxylin & eosin (H&E) stains collagen and muscle.
Examine the staining of a blood vessel in this section of mesentery:
Collagen - the outer wall is composed of collagen fibers stained pink/red.
Reticular Fibers - unstained.
Elastic Fibers - the crenulated structure in the inner wall is composed of elastic fibers that are unstained (or light pink).
Muscle - the middle region of the wall is composed of smooth muscle stained pink.
H&E
Azan
Verhoeff
Collagen
Pink/Red
Blue
Red
Reticular Fiber
Unstained
Unstained
Unstained
Elastic Fiber
Unstained
Unstained
Black
Muscle
Pink
Pink
Unstained
Azan
Click the thumbnail to show this specimen stained with azan.
Of the fibrous components in connective tissue, azan is used to distinguish collagen from muscle.
Examine the staining of a blood vessel in this section of mesentery:
Collagen - the outer wall is composed of collagen fibers stained blue.
Reticular Fibers - unstained.
Elastic Fibers - the crenulated structure in the inner wall is composed of elastic fibers that are unstained (or red).
Muscle - the middle region of the wall is composed of smooth muscle stained pink/red.
H&E
Azan
Verhoeff
Collagen
Pink/Red
Blue
Red
Reticular Fiber
Unstained
Unstained
Unstained
Elastic Fiber
Unstained
Unstained
Black
Muscle
Pink
Pink
Unstained
Verhoeff Stain
Click the thumbnail to show this specimen stained with Verhoeff stain.
Of the fibrous components in connective tissue, Verhoeff stain is used to identify elastic fibers.
Examine the staining of a blood vessel in this section of mesentery:
Collagen - the outer wall is composed of collagen fibers stained red.
Reticular Fibers - unstained.
Elastic Fibers - the crenulated structure in the inner wall is composed of elastic fibers stained black. Another band of elastic fibers is found between the layers of muscle and collagen.
Muscle - the middle region of the wall is composed of smooth muscle that is unstained (or brown).